Minnesota State Parks and Trails

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Minnesota State Parks and Trails Welcome to the official Minnesota State Parks and Trails page. Share/like ≠ endorse. You are fully responsible for everything that you post.

This page is intended to be a place where fans of Minnesota State Parks and Trails can share their information and experiences about Minnesota State Parks and Trails, both with us and with each other. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ (MnDNR’s) official social media accounts are limited public forums. The purpose is to provide information about MnDNR and the services we provide. Our online sites are governed by the general rules of respectful civil discourse. We encourage you to engage with us by submitting comments and questions related to MnDNR and by sharing MnDNR’s information with your network. MnDNR staff monitor the social media accounts during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. MnDNR social media accounts are not to be relied upon for park or trail emergencies. For emergencies, please call 911. MnDNR’s Social Media Community Rules provide guidelines for engagement for people who choose to communicate on MnDNR’s official social media platforms. We do not allow content that:

• is off-topic;
• is obscene, sexually explicit, defamatory, threatening, or directed at any legally protected class of persons under federal and state laws;
• contains personally identifiable information, including, but not limited to home address or phone number;
• contains solicitations, advertisements, or spam (including items posted repeatedly). This includes promotion or endorsement of any non-state government entity or any advertisement of a business or product;
• promotes or opposes any person campaigning for election to a political office;
• incites or promotes violence or encourages illegal activity;
• contains information that reasonably could compromise individual or public safety; or
• infringes on copyrights or trademarks. By participating on a MnDNR social media account, you are agreeing to abide by our rules. We reserve the right to ignore, hide or delete comments that violate these rules. These rules are subject to amendment or modification at any time. Repeated violation of these rules may result in the author being blocked from MnDNR’s social media accounts. If you have questions or concerns about the social media community rules, contact pat.socialmedia .mn.us.

There's nowhere else we'd rather be right now 🤩🍂 State park explorers are still finding fall magic out on the trails! Le...
10/23/2026

There's nowhere else we'd rather be right now 🤩🍂

State park explorers are still finding fall magic out on the trails! Let their photos inspire your own adventure, and submit your own pics at mndnr.gov/sharephotos.

We love watching the season go by ❤️🧡💛 We're still seeing gorgeous color in Minnesota! Enjoy the late fall leaves wherev...
10/22/2026

We love watching the season go by ❤️🧡💛

We're still seeing gorgeous color in Minnesota! Enjoy the late fall leaves wherever you are this weekend.

🍁 mndnr.gov/fallcolors

The colors are popping at Great River Bluffs State Park in southeastern Minnesota! If you're chasing fall color, you'll ...
10/21/2026

The colors are popping at Great River Bluffs State Park in southeastern Minnesota!

If you're chasing fall color, you'll find gorgeous vistas along plenty of overlooks in this charming state park. You might even see eagles soaring overhead on the river valley. Enjoy the views of the Mississippi River as you trek up and down the iconic bluffs of this region.

Keep the adventure going in nearby Winona! Enjoy Bloedow Bakery for an after-trail treat, or fuel up before your hike at Blue Heron Coffeehouse or Nosh Scratch Kitchn.

Follow Minnesota State Parks and Trails and Explore Minnesota to see where you should be going for fall colors this season!

Make sure you follow us for more inspiration on where to explore the state!

Know before you go!  🔶🦌Special hunts in state parks are happening throughout the rest of October and November, so make s...
10/20/2026

Know before you go! 🔶🦌

Special hunts in state parks are happening throughout the rest of October and November, so make sure you're prepared! Many state parks and recreation areas will either be closed or limit public access during the weekends, so check park visitor alerts before you head out.

Keep in mind these safety tips for visiting a state park during a hunt:

🔶 Wear blaze orange or pink, even if you aren’t hunting. Don’t forget a blaze item for your furry friend too.
✅ Check with the park office when you arrive, to see if there is any additional hunt-related information.
⚠ Watch for and follow any hunt-related signage in the park.

All special hunts for the season are listed on our website: mndnr.gov/parkhunts

Looking for inspiration for your license plate design? State parks are represented on license plates across the country!...
10/19/2026

Looking for inspiration for your license plate design?

State parks are represented on license plates across the country! Take a look at a few state park designs from other states and let them inspire your own for our specialty license plate design contest.

We are still accepting design submissions until the end of October. Here’s a reminder of some key contest details:

📅 We are currently accepting design submissions through Oct 31, 2026.
🪨 Designs must celebrate the North Shore and the Lake Superior agate, as determined by the Minnesota Legislature in 2026.
🛶 You can also incorporate iconic locations, scenery or recreational activities into your design that capture the essence of Minnesota state parks and trails.
🚫 All designs must be created without the use of artificial intelligence, as determined by the Minnesota Legislature.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Open to all Minnesota residents. One person may submit multiple entries.

We encourage you to go to our website to read the full contest rules: mndnr.gov/parksplate/contest

There's nothing like fall in Minnesota 🤩🍁Your photos capture the beauty of the season! Let these fan photos inspire you ...
10/16/2026

There's nothing like fall in Minnesota 🤩🍁

Your photos capture the beauty of the season! Let these fan photos inspire you to get outside and enjoy autumn's splendor while it lasts.

Share your own fall adventures with us at mndnr.gov/sharephotos

We're feeling the chill in the air as autumn moves through Minnesota 🍁🍂 Don't let that stop you from fall adventure! Whe...
10/15/2026

We're feeling the chill in the air as autumn moves through Minnesota 🍁🍂

Don't let that stop you from fall adventure! Where will you go this weekend to enjoy the colors?

🗺️ mndnr.gov/fallcolors

With fall colors flourishing, we'll be seeing many first time hikers or hiking newbies out on the trails. To all the beg...
10/12/2026

With fall colors flourishing, we'll be seeing many first time hikers or hiking newbies out on the trails. To all the beginner hikers out there – welcome! We want your experience to be an enjoyable one. If you're new to hiking, here's a few things to keep in mind when you're on the trails:

🔶 Know the hunting season and rules for the area you'll be hiking in. Wear bright colors, like blaze orange or pink, when you're hiking during hunting season. Know before you go: mndnr.gov/state_parks/hunting.html
🗺️ Stay on designated roads and trails, or in permitted areas. Have a copy of a map with you to help you navigate. Find maps at the ranger station or online on the state park's webpage: mndnr.gov/park-list
📵 Be prepared for spotty or no cell service. Make sure you're hiking on trails suited to your difficulty level.
🥾 Hike with friends! It's more fun and you'll have others to help you if you need it.
🔔 Bring personal safety tools if you will be alone, such as pepper spray, portable alarms or other signaling devices.
📞 Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
🌤️ Know the weather forecast, and be flexible if plans need to change.
🌲 Pace yourself! Take plenty of breaks and enjoy the scenery.
👒 Pack useful items like sunscreen, hat, water bottle, snacks and insect repellent. Find a sample list of things to bring on our website: mndnr.gov/hiking/safety.html

Seasoned hikers, what else do you do to prepare for a fall hiking adventure? Let us know in the comments below!

📷 Group hike at Itasca State Park in a previous season.

How sweet is the view right now? 🍂🤩Avid explorers are finding a mosaic of color in Minnesota state parks! Enjoy these be...
10/09/2026

How sweet is the view right now? 🍂🤩

Avid explorers are finding a mosaic of color in Minnesota state parks! Enjoy these beautiful photos and let them inspire you to get outside and experience the autumn weather this weekend.

Share your fall photos with us and we'll feature them next week Friday! 🍂 mndnr.gov/sharephotos

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